Shanghai town along The Bund
I’ve been to some unique places and some pretty different cities that can be challenging to travel in. I was pretty sure that China, while not especially difficult to travel in, would definitely be one of those interesting destinations. While I expected to find some English, especially in Hong Kong, I knew it would probably not always be spoken. I (thought) I knew about the crowds and was expecting this, and I was anticipating awful pollution. It was going to be an adventure.
Having now been there and learned a few helpful lessons, here are a few things to remember if you decide to venture into th country.
1. Crowds. Everywhere. Everything you do takes longer.
Upon arrival into Shanghai, I tried to take a subway to my hotel from the train station. 6 trains passed by without a single person getting off. With my backpack, I repeatedly failed to get in. I finally gave up and spent 20 minutes traveling just over 2 kilometres in a taxi.
Everything takes longer than you think. Traveling through town. Shopping. Buying and picking up train tickets. Tourist attractions (because while you may be the only non-Asian around, the cities most tourists come to are also frequented by other Asian tourists, or rural Chinese visitors).
Also: shoving is culturally acceptable and actually necessary occasionally. Many Chinese people remember the not so distant past where if you didn’t push or cut in ‘line’ you didn’t get food, or clothing, or funds, or get where you’re going. They don’t mean it rudely, they just need to get where they’re going and they need to do it quicker than everyone around them…. And I say in ‘line’ cautiously. Really, there is no ‘queuing’ culture. Waiting in line at Disneyland in Shanghai, if you weren’t on the ‘inside track’ of the line, you would be passed by many many families simply taking the most ‘direct’ way to the ride, forget that others have been waiting as long as they have.
Also: vacation time is almost non-existent so on the few holidays they do received, expect crowds far beyond what might be considered ‘normal’.
A line of passengers waiting for a train to board.
2. You may be the only non-Asian in sight.
It’s not that there aren’t any other western tourists around. It’s just that they are probably also swallowed up among the 2-3 million locals and local tourists.
I didn’t really anticipate this, but I was stared at. A lot. Mostly by younger children, probably age 10 and under, but also occasionally by older generations as well. I was approached by many children trying to practice their English, and this was followed by their parents snapping dozens of photos of this amazing ‘how I spent my summer vacation’ snapshot ;).
3. Always have your accommodations name/address written in Chinese characters with you.
And if you’re staying in some small guesthouse or hostel, it would be better to have the name of a close, larger hotel as well. Within China, there are many different dialects and sometimes, even those in the same city can’t understand each other. But most can read the characters, or gather enough information from them to get you to your destination.
4. Google Maps is Almost Useless (!!! – and Apple maps are definitely useless)
If you’re like me, you rely heavily on google maps to help navigate new cities, subway maps, shops, stores, hotels…basically everything. Outside of Hong Kong, it was almost useless. The location dot was rarely accurate, directions were wrong, and the loading time was extremely slow. The only thing I found it useful for, was pre-planning subway routes.
Apple maps also failed spectacularly here, with the subway maps useful only occasionally, and maps rarely, if ever, loading.
Paper maps are the way to go for China, but it’s also worth downloading the app ‘here’ and then the China offline map. It works similar to google maps, with location tracker and impressive detail. While it’ll take some space on your device, it can be helpful while navigating enroute.
Use ‘here we go’ app (iOS and android) to navigate reliably around mainland China.
5. Book Higher-End Accomodations for Full Internet Access
Blogging requires that I have internet access that is at least somewhat reliable. Many sites are blocked in China (Facebook, and all related companies, YouTube, google, etc), and only by downloading a very confusing method around this, can you have free and clear internet everywhere. The solution? If you need access to sites like this, splurge and spend an extra 20-50$ a night for a hotel where the internet connection is set up for foreigners and these sites are accessible from everywhere.
Hong Kong, of course, is the exception. Wifi is plentiful and there is no (noticeable) censorship.
China is a beautiful country. While things are often busy, with people everywhere and pollution a definite issue, there is ancient and interesting history everywhere, the people are friendly and welcoming, and the prices reasonably priced. A definite must see for any traveller looking for a unique experience.
Hong Kong Skyline at night.
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